Search for lost Kennett Township puppy that fell in creek aided by Facebook

A black lab puppy named Piper was swept away Sunday in the rushing waters of Red Clay Creek just north of Delaware, unleashing search parties and a wave of support on Facebook.

Piper, a 15-week-old black Labrador retriever puppy, was wearing a pink collar, no tags and a yellow retractable leash when she fell into the rushing waters at the bridge on McFarlan Road near Pa. 82, said a report filed by the owners with Lost and Found Pets of Chester and Delaware County.

A photo of Piper, the 15-month-old black Labrador Retriever, as it appears on the Delaware Lost and ...more

A photo of Piper, the 15-month-old black Labrador Retriever, as it appears on the Delaware Lost and Found Pets Facebook site.

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According to Facebook posts from Chesco Pet Search, Delaware Lost and Found Pets, the Hockessin and Cranston Heights fire companies, as well as other individual posts, the search for Piper started right after the puppy went missing on Sunday.

"Approximately 20 personnel from Hockessin and Cranston Heights Fire Cos. spent about 90 minutes searching the vicinity of Creek Road and Snuff Mill Road after reports were received of a whimpering noise in the area," said Hockessin assistant fire chief Randy Broadwater on the fire company website. "This included checking surrounding hillsides visually and with thermal imaging cameras."

"Due to the hazards posed working in proximity to moving water at night, we respectfully requested the citizens in the area to disband for the evening," he stated.

Kennett Fire Company No. 1 officials said the puppy is probably in Delaware, according to Facebook posts.

A post about Piper on the Lost and Found Pets of New Castle County, Delaware, Facebook page was shared 431 times as of Tuesday night. It was shared more than 1,000 times on the Delaware Lost and Found Pets Facebook page.

Lost and Found Pets of Chester and Delaware County joined the search on Monday.

When reached on Tuesday, owner Adrienne Jonsson said 40-50 people were searching for Piper on Monday morning and the search continued on Tuesday.

"I have never in my life seen an outpouring of human kindness. Everybody has been so giving and helpful," she said. "Today, people spontaneously showed up to search. We're going to find her. There are too many people looking not to."

Reach Jerry Smith at jsmith17@delawareonline.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JerrySmithTNJ.